Architect draws on his love of buildings for exhibition

Retired architect Mr Michael Payne is staging a second exhibition of his paintings. 050418DD3-3

A retired architect has put on his second exhibition of paintings.

Mr Michael Payne, 88, of Southwell, has been painting since he was a child and still has his first box of watercolours.

His training as an architect gave him a detailed eye for painting buildings and he has had a particular interest in old buildings and landmarks.

Mr Payne’s first exhibition was staged in Southwell Minster last year.

His latest — Scenes Of Southwell And Beyond — is continuing at beloved@thebarn, Southwell, until April 28.

Gallery owner Tina Bettison said Michael’s eyesight was not as sharp as it used to be, so he now painted in a slightly looser style and had expanded his work to include landscapes and less-structured architecture.

The exhibition includes a specially-produced collage of Southwell as well as views of Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Nottingham; Durham Cathedral; Stonehenge; and Santorini in Greece.

The work is for sale along with cards and prints.

Pub's lively reputation

Mr Payne said: “I am delighted to be exhibiting in beloved@thebarn. It is such a lovely little space — a real hidden gem in Southwell.”

The gallery is housed in a historic building that was once part of the White Swan pub, reputed to have been one of the town’s liveliest hostelries in the 1800s.

It closed in 1921 and the former pub buildings are now a bridal shop, garage and private apartments.

A copy of Mr Payne’s book, The Company Of Comedians, will also be on sale at the exhibition.

An avid local historian, he studied for an MA and wrote his dissertation on the first theatre in Nottingham, which existed from 1750 to 1860.

The work was used as the basis of the novel, which tells the story of a young army drummer who dreams of fame as actor.

Beloved@thebarn, in the carpark on King Street, Southwell, is open Thursdays to Saturdays, from 11am to 4pm. It hosts monthly exhibitions and small group workshops, as well as selling crafts, vintage homeware and collectables, and a selection of art materials.